The study will look at conducting a medium-intense walking program called Walk With Ease with cancer patients age 60 and above who are starting chemotherapy treatment. We will measure how many of these patients complete their participation in this program.
The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a moderate-intensity walking program (Walk With Ease/WWE) among cancer patients, age ≥60 years, as they undergo cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment. Feasibility will be determined based on the rate of participation in the WWE program. As secondary objectives, we will also establish the rate of completion of a number of instruments, including a Geriatric Assessment tool, and other instruments that measure self-reported quality of life (e.g., fatigue, depression, and pain), and self-reported physical activity (PA). Data from these instruments, as well as from serial measurements of a biomarker of aging (p16INK4a) will be explored and used to inform future studies designed to evaluate any relationship between these variables and participation in the WWE program. We propose a sample (n=30) of cancer patients ≥60 years of age with potentially curable cancer and a diagnosis of Stage I-III breast cancer, Stage I-III lung cancer, or Stage II-III colon cancer, who are about to begin chemotherapy. Participation will be defined as completing the 6-week WWE program. Results from this study will be used in an RO1 application to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) pertaining to PA interventions among cancer patients and the effects of biomarkers on prognosis and survival.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
29
The primary activity required of study subjects is a 6-week self-directed (non-group) WWE walking program that study participants do at a place and time that is convenient for them. To start the intervention/program, we schedule a brief baseline meeting with study participants to discuss the program, provide the WWE workbook, secure printed informed consent, and complete various questionnaires. Study participants are also asked to maintain a daily walking diary that is provided to them. The WWE program includes a workbook with strengthening and stretching exercises, basic facts about arthritis and PA, and information on how to individualize the program.
* Geriatric Assessment (GA) (Version 5) * Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT) * Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue36 * Outcome Expectations for Exercise (OEE) scale29 * Self-Efficacy to Manage Arthritis or Joint Pain (ASE/Arthritis Self-Efficacy) * Perceived Self-Efficacy for Fatigue Self-Management (PSEFSM)34,35 * Visual Analog Scales (VAS) Surveys included in study are listed above. Whole Blood Sample will be collected for p16 analysis.
University of North Carolina Cancer Hospital
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
To measure the feasibility of implementing the WWE program among cancer patients, age ≥60, as they undergo cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment.
Feasibility will be defined as the proportion of recruited subjects who complete the 6-week WWE program.
Time frame: 1 year
To measure the rate of completion of each of the following questionnaires/assessments at 3 different time points
The rate of completion of assessments will be measured at baseline, 6 weeks and end of chemotherapy treatment.
Time frame: 1 year
To measure relationships between physical activity levels and p16 levels.
To measure the association between number of minutes walked per day and number of times per week with p16 levels.
Time frame: 1 year
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